Cycle one of the program is Domain Two of Danielson's Framework: The Classroom Environment. The purpose of the cycle is to help you to get a clear picture of your classroom environment as the teacher of record.  Research indicates that reflective teachers are able to evaluate their own practices and base decisions for improving personal performance based on evidence of practice.

Just as in the initial phase, the journey is a personal one. The length of time that you take to complete the steps is not prescribed. You should not be concerned if you and a colleague do not take the same amount of time to do the events. You should focus on identifying how your mentor can support you mentor and taking the time to reflect on your current level of performance.

Documents used in this cycle:

Guiding Questions- These documents provide potential questions that may be asked of you by your mentor or an administrator. You are not required to answer the questions in a written form. You should review the questions, think about how you would respond if the question was asked of you, and discuss any clarifications that you may need with your mentor. 

Guiding Questions Classroom Environment

Discussion Logs (2 filled out by the mentor) -   These one page documents are to be completed by the mentor as you discuss your practice together. You will be given a copy of your discussion log. This document is to celebrate your successes, identify your challenges, and determine what support and resources you may need to become more effective in this domain.

Video Streaming Review Sheet - The video streaming programs provides you with examples of best practice.  You will have access to video streamed information through the internet and the clips will provide visual and auditory connections to the domain and components of Danielson's framework. Each session (clips range form 3 to 10 minutes) features Charlotte Danielson presenting an overview of the component, a teacher demonstrating effective practice (s) in the component, and an analysis of the performance. You are asked to select and watch several clips that are relevant to classroom environment at your level.  You are to complete the one page form after viewing the sessions. Bring the form to your meeting with your mentor and discuss what you learned and/or implemented.

Video Streaming Review Sheet #1

Procedural Steps

1. Meet with your mentor to discuss how and when you will be observed.  We encourage the mentors to video your performance so that you can review it alone and together. If videoing is not possible at your site, the mentor will come in and record notes of what he/she sees and hears during 30 minutes of your instruction.

2. Your mentor will schedule a meeting soon after your observation. At that meeting, the mentor will complete the discussion log as you discuss and review your current practice. Please remember to bring your Framework book with you. After identifying the evidence of your practice in this domain, you will select one component as your area of focus. An example might be procedures, because you noted that the students took a long time to turn in their assignments and get ready for instruction.  At the conclusion of this meeting, you and your mentor should determine any needs and/or resources you may want related to this domain and agree as to how and when they will be provided.

3. You should plan on refining your skills in the selected component for a period of 2 to 4 weeks. During that time, you will review some of the video streaming clips to seek strategies or clarifications related to your area of focus. As you implement your plan, note changes that you see in your classroom environment. If you implement the plan and feel that things are still challenging, let you mentor know at once so that he/she can assist you.  

4. Schedule second observation date for your mentor. Again, you may video this class session. During that time the focus is only on the component of focus that you selected.

5. Meet with your mentor and complete the second discussion log, review of your practice, and any notes or questions that you wish to share. Review the scoring guides in the Framework book and highlight your current performance level of performance on each of the components for Domain II. 

At this point you will determine your next steps in the mentoring program process. If performance is in the "proficient' range you should move on to the next cycle.  If you still identify areas as "basic," you may want to refine your practice in these areas while working with your mentor. Your mentor is there to provide support and feedback. He/she may see improvement in the component you selected, but may want you to consider refining other areas before you move forward. Such suggestions are made to help assure that you are ultimately successful in your formal evaluation. However, in the end, it is your decision as to whether you leave this cycle or work on other components.

Workshop Requirement

Sometime during the first cycle you will be attending a Parent Conference Workshop. During this session you will explore some of the things that may happen during a conference.  Your lead mentors and mentors will provide you with insights and strategies to assist you in communication with parents and other interested parties. The forms below may be used by your site or you may be told that the site will be providing you with other forms designed to meet its' needs.

Communication Workshop and form

Sign Out

At the end of this cycle you are to complete the Verification of Services form. This should not be done while the two of you are meeting. This is a personal statement.  You only need to check the statements and sign the form. There is an opportunity for you to note any concerns that you may have. It is important that you be honest about your feelings. If you feel that you need another person to mentor you, please indicate that you would like a change. Send this form to the lead mentor/site coordinator as indicated by your school/district.           

Verification of Services form New Teacher

Document Collection

Documents to be completed by the new teacher- 1-3 depending on the site. Those would include the video streaming sheet, Communicating with Parents workshop documents, and Verification of Services form. You will be given a certificate for each cycle which must be kept for a period of three years.

The basic documents should be kept in a portfolio and your Danielson book should reflect the marking of the components of practice.

Documents to be completed by the mentor- 2-6 depending on the format of the observations (video tapes require no notes, but the discussion of the video may lead to notes). Site may have mentors bring forms to the Parent Workshop session.

What Should the New Teacher Keep in Their Mentoring Portfolio?

Please place the following items in your portfolio: 

• Copies of discussions logs given to you by your mentor
• Video streaming form
• Parent workshop form(s)
• Certificate of completion for Cycle One

Important Information

*** If you move to another district/charter school during the period of time when you hold an initial license, you are required to present the specified documents related to each of the three cycles. Failure to provide the documentation, it may be result in your not securing a teaching position or being required to repeat some or all of the cycle.

After the first year of teaching the new teacher's portfolio should contain copies of his/her summative DPAS II evaluations. Teachers moving from the initial license to a continuing license must have proof of two successful summative evaluations. Failure to have this part of the program completed may result in a required extension of the initial license of the inability to secure a continuing license.

Please verify with your mentor to assure that you are moving through the correct path of evaluation. You are to receive a summative evaluation at the end of each of your three years on the initial license. A lesson analysis is not a summative evaluation.  In the event that administration does not provide you with a summative evaluation at the end of the year you should notify your site coordinator immediately.   

Applying to be an administrator- To be eligible to become an administrator in Delaware one must have a minimum of three years of teaching experience. This means that you would have to have been successful in the mentoring and induction program which is a requirement during your three initial years.